0% found this document useful (0 votes)
42K views

FBI Anonymous Lawsuit

Nine anonymous FBI agents sued the U.S. government on Tuesday to prevent the dissemination of a list that details their in Jan. 6 cases as well as the bureau's raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022.

Uploaded by

Ken Silva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
42K views

FBI Anonymous Lawsuit

Nine anonymous FBI agents sued the U.S. government on Tuesday to prevent the dissemination of a list that details their in Jan. 6 cases as well as the bureau's raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022.

Uploaded by

Ken Silva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 16

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

JOHN AND JANE DOES 1-9 )


Employees/Agents of the Federal Bureau
)
of Investigations, )
on behalf of themselves )
and those similarly situated, )
) Case No.
)
Plaintiffs, ) CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
)
) JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
v. )
)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE )
James McHenry )
Acting Attorney General )
of the United States, )
)
Defendant. )
____________________________________)

CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

Comes now Plaintiffs, John and Jane Does 1-9 (hereinafter “Plaintiffs”) on behalf of

themselves and all similarly situated current and former agents and/or employees of the Federal

Bureau of Investigations (hereinafter “FBI”), by and through undersigned counsel, with their Class

Action Complaint for Injunctive Relief, and state as follows:

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiffs are currently employed agents and/or employees of the FBI, who, during the

course of their duties worked on, or participated in the investigation of persons suspected of

criminal activity related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol building ( “the

Jan. 6 attack” or “Jan. 6 cases”) at the behest of Donald Trump, and/or the unlawful removal,

retention and storage of classified documents by Mr. Trump (hereinafter “Mar-a-Lago case”).

1
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 16

Upon returning to the Presidency, Mr. Trump has ordered the DOJ to conduct a review and purge

of FBI personnel involved in these investigations and prosecutions. This directive is unlawful and

retaliatory, and violates the Civil Service Reform Act 5 U.S.C. §§2301 and 2303.

Additionally, on or about February 2, 2025, Plaintiffs were instructed to fill out a survey

that would identify their specific role in the Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases. Some Plaintiffs were

required to fill out the survey themselves, others were told that their supervisors would be filling

out the form. Plaintiffs were informed that the aggregated information is going to be forwarded to

upper management. Plaintiffs assert that the purpose for this list is to identify agents to be

terminated or to suffer other adverse employment action. Plaintiffs reasonably fear that all or parts

of this list might be published by allies of President Trump, thus placing themselves and their

families in immediate danger of retribution by the now pardoned and at-large Jan. 6 convicted

felons. Defendant’s gathering, retention, and disclosure of Plaintiffs’ activities related the acts of

former President Trump is a violation of Plaintiffs’ rights under the First Amendments to the

Constitution. It is also a violation of Plaintiffs’ Fifth Amendment substantive and due process

rights, such that the Court has the authority to enjoin the serious harm it is likely to cause.

Moreover, the publication or dissemination of the information in these surveys would be a

violation of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. §552a, and would place Plaintiffs in immediate risk

of serious harm. Accordingly, Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the publication or dissemination of these

surveys, or any information derived therefrom.

THE PARTIES

1. Plaintiffs are employees of the FBI who worked on Jan. 6 and/or Mar-a-Lago cases,

and who have been informed that they are likely to be terminated in the very near future (the week

of February 3-9, 2025) for such activity. They intend to represent a class of at least 6,000 current

2
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 3 of 16

and former FBI agents and employees who participated in some manner in the investigation and

prosecution of crimes and abuses of power by Donald Trump, or by those acting at his behest.

2. Defendant is the current Acting Attorney General of the United States, and the

person authorized and tasked with enacting the political will of President Trump.

3. The Federal Bureau of Investigations is an agency under the control of the

Department of Justice, with its headquarters located at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,

Washington, DC 20535. All essential personnel decisions and employment records are housed at

the FBI headquarters.

JURISDICTION

4. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, this Court enjoys jurisdiction over this matter because

Plaintiffs assert claims under the laws of the United States. This Court also has jurisdiction over

this matter because the Defendant is an agency of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § 1346.

5. Defendant waived sovereign immunity because the Privacy Act allows for damages against

the United States.

6. Sovereign immunity for declaratory relief is waived by 5 U.S.C.§ 702, and by the fact that

Plaintiffs assert claims pursuant to the Constitution of the United States.

7. Plaintiffs are not seeking any universally applicable are national remedy or injunction.

Rather they seek injunctive relief only for themselves and the members of the putative Class that

are parties before this Court.

FACTS APPLICABLE TO ALL PLAINTIFFS

8. The FBI investigates a variety of crimes, including terrorism, cybercrime, white collar

crimes, and public corruption.

3
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 4 of 16

9. The FBI collects, analyzes, and shares intelligence to understand and combat security

threats.

10. Additionally, the FBI provides services like fingerprint identification, laboratory

examinations, and training.

11. The FBI protects the United States from foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber

operations, and combats cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes.

12. The FBI is part of the Department of Justice, and reports its investigations to the attorney

general and United States attorneys' offices. It is impossible to overstate the importance of the

FBI’s work to the security of the United States.

13. FBI agents are chosen through a highly selective process, and are carefully screened for

aptitude and trustworthiness.

14. FBI agents go through more than four months of intensive training at the FBI academy

before beginning their duties, and attend numerous training sessions throughout their careers to

adapt to new technologies and emerging threats.

15. Many FBI agents are multi-lingual and routinely interface with intelligence agencies from

allied nations.

16. The training FBI agents receive is comprehensive, and in some instances, extremely

expensive.

17. On information and belief, Plaintiffs assert that each agent of the FBI receives more than

3 million dollars-worth of training in a twenty (20) year career.

18. FBI agents also develop specific expertise from their assignments and field duties, much

of which cannot be replicated solely by training.

4
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 5 of 16

19. FBI agents often face threats to their personal safety, at times going under cover and/or

working in extremely dangerous areas to obtain information necessary to secure the interests of

the United States.

20. FBI agents are tasked by their chain and command and leadership team, and are not free to

refuse assignments based on their political or personal preferences.

21. Plaintiffs’ tasks routinely involved, inter alia, reviewing video evidence, interviewing

witnesses, executing search and arrest warrants, interfacing with confidential informants,

reviewing and analyzing cyber communications, investigating financial transactions and other

activities for the purpose of identifying persons engaged in unlawful conduct, and assisting in the

prosecution of said persons, and/or providing support for such activities.

22. On or about January 6, 2021, a protest led by Donald Trump took place at the ellipse in

front of the United States Capitol building, which erupted into violence.

23. Hundreds of rioters (“Jan. 6 Rioters”) forcefully breached the Capitol building, ignoring

the directions of both Capitol Police and Police Officers of the Washington DC Metropolitan

Police Department ( “MPD”).

24. Rioters violently attacked law enforcement officers causing one fatality and hundreds of

injuries. To date, five (5) police officers have died as a result of what transpired during the Jan. 6

attack.

25. Additionally, Jan 6 Rioters vandalized the halls of Congress, unlawfully entered into

secured areas of the Capitol building, and threatened the lives of members of Congress and the

Vice President of the United States.

26. Over the four years that followed the Jan. 6 attack, Plaintiffs worked diligently to bring to

justice the persons who had engaged in illegal activity related to the incitement, planning,

5
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 6 of 16

preparation and execution of the Jan. 6 attack, resulting in the successful prosecution of more than

1,500 people.

27. A recurring theme in the trials of the Jan. 6 Defendants is that they appeared at the Capitol,

and engaged in violent action at the urging and direct request of Donald Trump.

28. It is also undisputed that while Donald Trump was keenly aware of the violence taking

place at the Capitol on that day, for hours he did nothing to intercede or persuade the Jan. 6 Rioters

to cease their activity.

29. Information obtained during the investigation of the Jan. 6 attack also established that Mr.

Trump was an active participant in the planning of the attack on the Capitol, and of the coordinated

effort by some members of Congress to evade certification of the election results.

30. Plaintiffs assert that the ultimate goal of both the Jan. 6 attack and the efforts in Congress

by allies of Donald Trump was to block the peaceful transition of power to the winner of the 2020

Presidential Election, Joe Biden.

31. As a result of the work of Plaintiffs and other members of the putative Class, Special

Counsel Jack Smith ( “SC Smith”) achieved a Grand Jury indictment of Donald Trump which was

in the process of being litigated when the 2024 Presidential Election took place.

32. Also, as a result of the work of Plaintiffs and the putative Class, SC Smith was able to

secure a Grand Jury indictment of Mr. Trump for the unlawful removal, retention and storage of

classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

33. During his campaign for office, Mr. Trump repeatedly stated that he would personify “the

vengeance” or “the retribution,” for those whom he called “political hostages,” for their actions

during the Jan. 6 attack.

6
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 7 of 16

34. On or about November 9, 2024, Donald Trump was reelected President. On or about

January 20, 2024, Mr. Trump was inaugurated.

35. Shortly after his inauguration, DOJ terminated all of the attorneys who prosecuted Jan. 6

cases.

36. These terminations were directed by Mr. Trump. They were politically motivated and

unlawful, and were precisely the kind of retribution promised by Mr. Trump.

37. On or about February 1, 2025, Plaintiffs learned that a similar purge of personnel was being

contemplated for the FBI.

38. On or about February 2, 2025, during a teleconference with many agents and several

managers, some of the Plaintiffs were informed that they would be required to fill out a survey

about their activities related to the Jan. 6 cases. See EXHIBIT 1.

39. As can be seen in EXHIBIT 1, the information supplied would be retrievable by the

employees name and email address, or by other identifying information such as an employee

number.

40. During this teleconference, Plaintiffs were informed that the order to fill out the survey was

a lawful order according to the DOJ Office of General Counsel.

41. Plaintiffs assert that the specific purpose of this survey is to identify agents and other FBI

personnel to be terminated as a form of politically motivated retribution.

42. Moreover, Plaintiffs have been informed that some of their personal information has

already been posted by Jan. 6 convicted felons on “dark websites” (aka the “dark web”), and are

particularly concerned about further publication of their personal information.

43. Plaintiffs assert that the very act of compiling lists of persons who worked on matters that

upset Donald Trump is retaliatory in nature, intended to intimidate FBI agents and other personnel,

7
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 8 of 16

and to discourage them from reporting any future malfeasance and by Donald Trump and his

agents.

44. It has been widely reported that Elon Musk and persons working with him have recently

attempted to access government databases that house personal information, without regard to

security protocols, and without a legitimate business purpose.

45. Plaintiffs legitimately fear that the information being compiled will be accessed by persons

who are not authorized to have access to it, and who lack the requisite security clearances to handle

such information.

46. Plaintiffs further assert that even if they are not targeted for termination, they may face

other retaliatory acts such as demotion, denial of job opportunities or denial of promotions in the

future.

CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

47. Plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of:

All FBI personnel for whom a survey was requested and/or completed by the Trump
administration that identifies their specific role in the Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases.

48. Class certification is appropriate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a), (b)(1) and (b)(2), and

alternatively, (b)(3).

49. The Class satisfies the numerosity requirement because it is composed of at least 6,000

current and former FBI agents and employees. The number of class members is so large that

joinder of all its members is impracticable.

50. Common questions of law and fact include:

A. Whether the survey requested by Defendant is collecting information to determine


which FBI agents and other personnel worked on the Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases;

B. Whether the survey requested by Defendant is collecting information to catalogue


FBI agents and other personnel for eventual termination;

8
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 9 of 16

C. Whether the survey requested by Defendant is collecting information to catalogue


FBI agents for eventual other adverse employment actions;

D. Whether it is lawful for Defendant to collect the names, specific roles and other
information requested in the survey for purposes of termination or other adverse
employment actions.

E. Whether Defendant’s motivation in gather information about Plaintiffs’ activities


is to target them for discrimination based on their real or perceived political
affiliation.

F. Whether the collection of the survey’s information will result in Plaintiffs and the
Class suffering irreparable harm.

G. Whether publication or dissemination of information gathered by the survey would


cause Plaintiffs irreparable harm.

H. Whether the information gathered by the survey and stored by the FBI constitutes
a “system of records” as Defined by the Privacy Act.

I. Whether all Plaintiffs have First and Fifth Amendment rights that would be
violated if Defendant were to disclose the information gathered by the survey.

J. Whether all Plaintiffs’ First and Fifth Amendment rights would be violated should
Defendant use the information gathered to retaliate against Plaintiffs.

51. Plaintiffs are typical of the claims of the Class because they are subject to the same decision

and motivation, derived directly from the AG, and will all be made whole by the injunctive relief

requested in this Class Complaint. Further, they have no interests that are antagonistic to the claims

of the Class. They understand that this matter cannot be settled without the Court’s approval.

52. Plaintiffs will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class. Plaintiffs are

committed to the vigorous representation of the Class. Plaintiffs have hired adequate counsel in

the Center for Employment Justice, whose lawyers collectively have decades of experience in

litigating complex class actions.

53. Plaintiffs’ counsel have agreed to advance the cost of the litigation contingent on the

outcome of this case, and understand that no fee will be awarded without the Court’s approval.

9
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 10 of 16

54. A class action is the superior method for the fair and efficient adjudication of this

controversy. Joinder of all members of the class is impracticable, as the Plaintiff are located all

over the country, and would require substantial and costly duplication of effort. Individual

proceedings, therefore, would pose the risk of inconsistent adjudications. Plaintiffs are unaware

of any difficulty in the management of this action as a class action.

55. This Class may be certified under Rule 23(b).

A. 23(b)(1). Prosecution of separate actions by individual members would create the

risk of (A) inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual class members

that would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the Defendants, or (B)

adjudications with respect to individual class members would, as a practical matter, be

dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudication or

substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests;

B. 23(b)(2). The party opposing the Class has acted on grounds that apply generally

to the class, so that final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief is appropriate

respecting the Class as a whole; or in the alternative

C. 23(b)(3). This action is suitable to proceed as a class action under 23(b)(3) because

questions of law and fact common to the members of the Class predominate over individual

questions, and a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient

adjudication of this controversy. Given the nature of the allegations, no class member has

an interest in individually controlling the prosecution of this matter.

10
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 11 of 16

CLAIMS FOR RELIEF

COUNT I

(Violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution—


Retaliation Based on Perceived Political Affiliation)

56. Plaintiffs incorporate all of the allegations in the previous paragraphs as if fully restated

herein.

57. Government employees are protected by the First Amendment from discrimination or

retaliation based on their political beliefs or affiliation, or the perception thereof.

58. On or about February 2, 2025, Plaintiffs were asked to self-report their activities on the

Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases, or were told their managers would be providing such information to

Trump administration officials.

59. Plaintiffs were informed that the aggregated list of all Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago FBI agents

and other personnel is going to be forwarded to senior members in Donald Trump’s administration.

60. On or about January 31, 2025, DOJ summarily terminated all of the attorneys who

prosecuted Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases precisely because of the Trump administration’s

perception of those attorneys’ political loyalties.

61. Plaintiffs reasonably believe and fear that the information gathered in the survey will also

be used to target them for retaliatory discharge due to the Trump administration’s perception of

their loyalties.

62. Donald Trump has made repeated public pronouncements of his intent to exact revenge

upon persons he perceives to be disloyal to him by simply executing their duties in investigating

acts incited by him and persons loyal to him.

63. Whatever the Trump administration believes about Plaintiffs’ political affiliation, it clearly

believes that persons who were involved in the investigation and prosecution of Jan. 6 and Mar-a-

11
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 12 of 16

Lago cases are insufficiently politically affiliated with Donald Trump to be entitled to retain their

employment.

64. Plaintiffs assert that there is no other legitimate agency purpose for this list to be created

or to exist. The FBI has sufficient information in other forms to identify the work of FBI agents,

and to either laud or discipline them for their work performance.

65. Plaintiffs assert that there is a real and material risk that the list itself, or parts thereof, will

be shared with or leaked to persons or entities that harbor ill will towards the agents and other

personnel involved in Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases.

66. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, Plaintiffs would be placed at immediate

risk of serious personal harm and harm to their loved ones.

67. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, Plaintiffs would likely suffer measurable

pecuniary damages such as loss of property, loss of income and damage to reputation.

68. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, the national security of the Unite States

would be severely compromised.

69. Plaintiffs emphasize that they work or worked on a wide variety of threats to the United

States, originating both domestically and from abroad, and that the list of persons who would wish

harm upon them for the execution of their duties is vast.

70. Plaintiffs therefore respectfully seek immediate relief to enjoin the aggregation, storage,

reporting, publication or dissemination of any list or compilation of information that would

identify FBI agents and other personnel, and tie them directly to Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago case

activities.

12
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 13 of 16

COUNT II

(Violation of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution –


Violation of Plaintiffs’ Substantive and Procedural Due Process Rights)

71. Plaintiffs incorporate all of the allegations in the previous paragraphs as if fully restated

herein.

72. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution protects against harms to a person’s reputation

caused by government actors, often referred to as “reputation plus” and “stigma plus” harms.

73. Plaintiffs have a clearly defined interest in the maintenance of their reputations as

professionals, acquired over years of faithful service to the United States.

74. Here, the potential of publication of information related to their work on Jan. 6 and Mar-a-

Lago cases is an imminent threat to both their reputations, and to their prospects for either

continued or future employment.

75. Moreover, Defendant has already harmed Plaintiffs’ reputation by publicly stating and

implying that their work on Jan. 6 and/or Mar-a-Lago cases was somehow wrongful, dishonest,

politically motivated or improper.

76. Not only would the publication of Plaintiffs’ names or other identifying information harm

their safety and reputations, but it would also burden their ability to find future employment with

any entity with an interest in maintaining positive relationships with the Trump administration.

77. The survey that Plaintiffs are being asked to submit does not afford them any opportunity

to defend their honor or reputation, and does not give them an opportunity to challenge any

perceptions regarding the propriety of their actions.

78. As such, Defendant violates Plaintiffs’ substantive and procedural due process rights by

forcing them to fill out a survey that places them at risk for severe, underserved reputational

damage without the opportunity to be fully heard and to respond regarding the same.

13
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 14 of 16

COUNT III

(Violation of the Plaintiffs’ Fifth Amendment Right to Privacy)

79. Plaintiffs incorporate all of the allegations in the previous paragraphs as if fully restated

herein.

80. The Fifth Amendment requires Defendant to balance the constitutional privacy rights of

federal officers against purported public interest in their activities.

81. Plaintiffs assert that the public does not have an interest in the specific investigative,

administrative and law enforcement tasks of FBI agents and employees, particularly not with

respect to matters that could still be active or litigated in the future.

82. Plaintiffs assert that any publication, dissemination, or transmission of the information

gathered in the survey would violate their Fifth Amendment right to privacy.

83. Plaintiffs assert that there is a real and material risk that the list itself, or parts thereof, will

be shared with or leaked to persons or entities that harbor ill will towards the agents and other

personnel involved in Jam. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases.

84. Not only would the convicted felons Plaintiffs assisted to prosecute who are now at large

have a keen interest in obtaining the information obtained by the survey, but so too would various

other enemies of the United States.

85. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, the national security of the Unite States

would be severely compromised.

86. Plaintiffs therefore respectfully seek immediate relief to enjoin the aggregation, storage,

reporting, publication or dissemination of any list or compilation of information that would

identify FBI agents and other personnel, and tie them directly to Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago case

activities.

14
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 15 of 16

COUNT IV

(Violation of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. §552a (b))

87. Plaintiffs incorporate all of the allegations in the previous paragraphs as if fully restated

herein.

88. On or about February 2, 2025, Plaintiffs were asked to self-report their activities on the

Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases, or were told their managers would be providing such information

to Trump administration officials.

89. Plaintiffs were informed that the aggregated list of all Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago FBI agents

and other personnel is going to be forwarded to senior members in Donald Trump’s administration.

90. On or about January 31, 2025, DOJ summarily terminated all of the attorneys who

prosecuted Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases.

91. Plaintiffs reasonably believe and fear that the target list will also be used to target them for

retaliatory discharge.

92. Plaintiffs assert that the target list is a “system of records” as that term is defined in 5 U.S.C.

§ 552a.

93. Plaintiffs assert that they are being mandated to provide information to formulate the

“system of record,” and are not doing so of their own volition.

94. Plaintiffs assert that there is no legitimate agency purpose for this list to be created or to

exist. The FBI has sufficient information in other forms to identify the work of FBI agents, and to

either laud or discipline them for their work performance.

95. Plaintiffs state that they have not given any prior consent to the dissemination of the

information in the target list.

15
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 16 of 16

96. Plaintiffs assert that there is a real and material risk that the list itself, or parts thereof, will

be shared with or leaked to persons or entities that harbor ill will towards the agents and other

personnel involved in Jam. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases.

97. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, Plaintiffs would be placed at immediate

risk of serious personal harm and harm to their loved ones.

98. Should this information fall into the wrong hands, the national security of the Unite States

would be severely compromised.

99. Plaintiffs therefore respectfully seek immediate relief to enjoin the aggregation, storage,

reporting, publication or dissemination of any list or compilation of information that would

identify FBI agents and other personnel, and tie them directly to Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago case

activities.

JURY TRIAL

100. Plaintiffs ask for trial by jury of all claims so triable.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Pamela M. Keith
Pamela M. Keith [Bar. No 448421]
Scott M. Lempert [Bar No. 1045184]
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE
650 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 800-0292
pamkeith@centerforemploymentjustice.com
slempert@centerforemploymentjustice.com
Counsel for Plaintiffs

16
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 4
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 4
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 3 of 4
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-1 Filed 02/04/25 Page 4 of 4
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-2 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 2
CIVIL COVER SHEET
JS-44 (Rev. 11/2020 DC)
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS
John and Jane Does 1-5 Department of Justice

Washington DC District of Columbia


COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED DEFENDANT _____________________
(b) COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED PLAINTIFF _____________________
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED

(c) ATTORNEYS (FIRM NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER) ATTORNEYS (IF KNOWN)
Pamela M. Keith Department of Justice
Scott M. Lempert 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE Washington, DC 20530-0001
650 Mass. Ave. NW, Suite 600
II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (PLACE AN x IN ONE BOX FOR
(PLACE AN x IN ONE BOX ONLY) PLAINTIFF AND ONE BOX FOR DEFENDANT) FOR DIVERSITY CASES ONLY!

o 1 U.S. Government o 3 Federal Question


PTF DFT
o1 o1
PTF
o4 o4
DFT

Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of this State Incorporated or Principal Place
of Business in This State
o 2 U.S. Government o 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State o2 o2 Incorporated and Principal Place o5 o5
Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of
of Business in Another State
Parties in item III) Citizen or Subject of a
Foreign Country
o3 o3 Foreign Nation o6 o6
IV. CASE ASSIGNMENT AND NATURE OF SUIT
(Place an X in one category, A-N, that best represents your Cause of Action and one in a corresponding Nature of Suit)
o A. Antitrust o B. Personal Injury/ o C. Administrative Agency o D. Temporary Restraining
Malpractice Review Order/Preliminary
410 Antitrust Injunction
310 Airplane 151 Medicare Act
315 Airplane Product Liability Any nature of suit from any category
320 Assault, Libel & Slander Social Security
may be selected for this category of
861 HIA (1395ff)
330 Federal Employers Liability case assignment.
862 Black Lung (923)
340 Marine
863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) *(If Antitrust, then A governs)*
345 Marine Product Liability
864 SSID Title XVI
350 Motor Vehicle
865 RSI (405(g))
355 Motor Vehicle Product Liability
Other Statutes
360 Other Personal Injury
891 Agricultural Acts
362 Medical Malpractice
893 Environmental Matters
365 Product Liability
890 Other Statutory Actions (If
367 Health Care/Pharmaceutical
Administrative Agency is
Personal Injury Product Liability
Involved)
368 Asbestos Product Liability

o E. General Civil (Other) OR o F. Pro Se General Civil


Real Property Bankruptcy Federal Tax Suits
210 Land Condemnation 422 Appeal 27 USC 158 870 Taxes (US plaintiff or 465 Other Immigration Actions
220 Foreclosure 423 Withdrawal 28 USC 157 defendant) 470 Racketeer Influenced
230 Rent, Lease & Ejectment 871 IRS-Third Party 26 USC & Corrupt Organization
240 Torts to Land Prisoner Petitions 7609
480 Consumer Credit
245 Tort Product Liability 535 Death Penalty
Forfeiture/Penalty 485 Telephone Consumer
290 All Other Real Property 540 Mandamus & Other
625 Drug Related Seizure of Protection Act (TCPA)
550 Civil Rights
Property 21 USC 881 490 Cable/Satellite TV
Personal Property 555 Prison Conditions
690 Other 850 Securities/Commodities/
370 Other Fraud 560 Civil Detainee – Conditions
Exchange
371 Truth in Lending of Confinement
Other Statutes 896 Arbitration
380 Other Personal Property
375 False Claims Act 899 Administrative Procedure
Damage Property Rights
376 Qui Tam (31 USC Act/Review or Appeal of
385 Property Damage 820 Copyrights
3729(a)) Agency Decision
Product Liability 830 Patent
400 State Reapportionment 950 Constitutionality of State
835 Patent – Abbreviated New
430 Banks & Banking Statutes
Drug Application
450 Commerce/ICC Rates/etc 890 Other Statutory Actions
840 Trademark
460 Deportation (if not administrative agency
880 Defend Trade Secrets Act of
462 Naturalization review or Privacy Act)
2016 (DTSA)
Application
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-2 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 2
o G. Habeas Corpus/ o H. Employment o I. FOIA/Privacy Act o J. Student Loan
2255 Discrimination
530 Habeas Corpus – General 442 Civil Rights – Employment 895 Freedom of Information Act 152 Recovery of Defaulted
510 Motion/Vacate Sentence (criteria: race, gender/sex, 890 Other Statutory Actions Student Loan
463 Habeas Corpus – Alien national origin, (if Privacy Act) (excluding veterans)
Detainee discrimination, disability, age,
religion, retaliation)

*(If pro se, select this deck)* *(If pro se, select this deck)*

o K. Labor/ERISA o L. Other Civil Rights o M. Contract o N. Three-Judge


(non-employment) (non-employment) Court
110 Insurance
710 Fair Labor Standards Act 441 Voting (if not Voting Rights 120 Marine 441 Civil Rights – Voting
720 Labor/Mgmt. Relations Act) 130 Miller Act (if Voting Rights Act)
740 Labor Railway Act 443 Housing/Accommodations 140 Negotiable Instrument
751 Family and Medical 440 Other Civil Rights 150 Recovery of Overpayment
Leave Act 445 Americans w/Disabilities – & Enforcement of
790 Other Labor Litigation Employment Judgment
791 Empl. Ret. Inc. Security Act 446 Americans w/Disabilities – 153 Recovery of Overpayment
Other of Veteran’s Benefits
448 Education 160 Stockholder’s Suits
190 Other Contracts
195 Contract Product Liability
196 Franchise

V. ORIGIN
o 1 Original o 2 Removed o 3 Remanded o 4 Reinstated o 5 Transferred o 6 Multi-district o 7 Appeal to o 8 Multi-district
Proceeding from State from Appellate or Reopened from another Litigation District Judge Litigation –
Court Court district (specify) from Mag. Direct File
Judge

VI. CAUSE OF ACTION (CITE THE U.S. CIVIL STATUTE UNDER WHICH YOU ARE FILING AND WRITE A BRIEF STATEMENT OF CAUSE.)
Violation of First and Fifth Amendment to the Constitution and the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a

VII. REQUESTED IN CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS DEMAND $ Injunctive Check YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT ACTION UNDER F.R.C.P. 23 JURY DEMAND: YES NO

VIII. RELATED CASE(S) (See instruction) If yes, please complete related case form
YES NO
IF ANY
2/3/25
DATE: _________________________ /s/ Pamela M. Keith
SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD _________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET JS-44


Authority for Civil Cover Sheet

The JS-44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and services of pleadings or other papers as required
by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the
Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. Consequently, a civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of Court for each civil complaint filed.
Listed below are tips for completing the civil cover sheet. These tips coincide with the Roman Numerals on the cover sheet.

I. COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT (b) County of residence: Use 11001 to indicate plaintiff if resident
of Washington, DC, 88888 if plaintiff is resident of United States but not Washington, DC, and 99999 if plaintiff is outside the United States.

III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES: This section is completed only if diversity of citizenship was selected as the Basis of Jurisdiction
under Section II.

IV. CASE ASSIGNMENT AND NATURE OF SUIT: The assignment of a judge to your case will depend on the category you select that best
represents the primary cause of action found in your complaint. You may select only one category. You must also select one corresponding
nature of suit found under the category of the case.

VI. CAUSE OF ACTION: Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing and write a brief statement of the primary cause.

VIII. RELATED CASE(S), IF ANY: If you indicated that there is a related case, you must complete a related case form, which may be obtained from
the Clerk’s Office.

Because of the need for accurate and complete information, you should ensure the accuracy of the information provided prior to signing the form.
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-3 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12; DC 3/15) Summons in a Civil Action

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


for the

__________ District
District of __________
of Columbia

JOHN AND JANE DOES 1-5 )


)
)
)
Plaintiff(s) )
)
v. Civil Action No.
)
JAMES MCHENRY )
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED )
STATES )
)
Defendant(s) )

SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION

To: (Defendant’s name and address) Civil Process Clerk


U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C.
601 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530

A lawsuit has been filed against you.

Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) — or 60 days if you
are the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ.
P. 12 (a)(2) or (3) — you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney,
whose name and address are: Pamela Keith
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE
650 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 800-0292

If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.

ANGELA D. CAESAR, CLERK OF COURT

Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-3 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12) Summons in a Civil Action (Page 2)

Civil Action No.

PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (l))

This summons for (name of individual and title, if any)


was received by me on (date) .

’ I personally served the summons on the individual at (place)


on (date) ; or

’ I left the summons at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
, a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there,
on (date) , and mailed a copy to the individual’s last known address; or

’ I served the summons on (name of individual) , who is


designated by law to accept service of process on behalf of (name of organization)
on (date) ; or

’ I returned the summons unexecuted because ; or

’ Other (specify):
.

My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0 .

I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.

Date:
Server’s signature

Printed name and title

Server’s address

Additional information regarding attempted service, etc:

Print Save As... Reset


Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-4 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12; DC 3/15) Summons in a Civil Action

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


for the

__________ District
District of __________
of Columbia

JOHN AND JANE DOES 1-5 )


)
)
)
Plaintiff(s) )
)
v. Civil Action No.
)
JAMES MCHENRY )
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED )
STATES )
)
Defendant(s) )

SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION

To: (Defendant’s name and address) Department of Justice


Office of the United States Attorney General
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20530

A lawsuit has been filed against you.

Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) — or 60 days if you
are the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ.
P. 12 (a)(2) or (3) — you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney,
whose name and address are: Pamela Keith
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE
650 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 800-0292

If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.

ANGELA D. CAESAR, CLERK OF COURT

Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-4 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12) Summons in a Civil Action (Page 2)

Civil Action No.

PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (l))

This summons for (name of individual and title, if any)


was received by me on (date) .

’ I personally served the summons on the individual at (place)


on (date) ; or

’ I left the summons at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
, a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there,
on (date) , and mailed a copy to the individual’s last known address; or

’ I served the summons on (name of individual) , who is


designated by law to accept service of process on behalf of (name of organization)
on (date) ; or

’ I returned the summons unexecuted because ; or

’ Other (specify):
.

My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0 .

I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.

Date:
Server’s signature

Printed name and title

Server’s address

Additional information regarding attempted service, etc:

Print Save As... Reset


Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-5 Filed 02/04/25 Page 1 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12; DC 3/15) Summons in a Civil Action

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


for the

__________ District
District of __________
of Columbia

JOHN AND JANE DOES 1-5 )


)
)
)
Plaintiff(s) )
)
v. Civil Action No.
)
JAMES MCHENRY )
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED )
STATES )
)
Defendant(s) )

SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION

To: (Defendant’s name and address) Federal Bureau of Investigation


J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20535-0001

A lawsuit has been filed against you.

Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) — or 60 days if you
are the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ.
P. 12 (a)(2) or (3) — you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney,
whose name and address are: Pamela Keith
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT JUSTICE
650 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 800-0292

If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.

ANGELA D. CAESAR, CLERK OF COURT

Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
Case 1:25-cv-00325 Document 1-5 Filed 02/04/25 Page 2 of 2

AO 440 (Rev. 06/12) Summons in a Civil Action (Page 2)

Civil Action No.

PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (l))

This summons for (name of individual and title, if any)


was received by me on (date) .

’ I personally served the summons on the individual at (place)


on (date) ; or

’ I left the summons at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
, a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there,
on (date) , and mailed a copy to the individual’s last known address; or

’ I served the summons on (name of individual) , who is


designated by law to accept service of process on behalf of (name of organization)
on (date) ; or

’ I returned the summons unexecuted because ; or

’ Other (specify):
.

My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0 .

I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.

Date:
Server’s signature

Printed name and title

Server’s address

Additional information regarding attempted service, etc:

Print Save As... Reset

You might also like